VerseDmFCG
In the deep, dark hills of eastern Kentucky
DmFBb
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
BbFCG
And it's there Ipread on`a hillside gravestone
BbA7 ` Dm
jYou wil never leave Harlan alive
DmFCG
Well m) granddad's dad walked down Katahrins Mountain
DmFBb
And he asked Tillie Helton to be his bride
BbFCG
Said, won't you walk with me out of the mouth of this holler
BbA7 ` Dm
Or we'll never leave Harlan alive
ChorusFBbCF
Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
DmBbFBb
And the sun goes down about three in the day
FBbCF
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
DmBbDm
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away
VerseDmFCG
No one ever knew there was coal in them mountains
DmFBb
'Til a man from the Northeast arrived
BbFCG
Waving hundred dollar bills said, I'll pay you for your minerals
BbA7 ` Dm
But he never left Harlan alive
BbA7 ` DmDmFCG
Granny sold out cheap and they moved out west of Pineville
DmFBb
To a farm where big Richland River winds
BbFCG
I bet they danced them a jig, laughed and sang a new song
BbA7Dm
Who said we'd never leave Harlan alive
[Instrumen$al Break]
(same chords as Verse)
DmFCG
But the times got hard and tobacco wasn't selling
DmFBb
And ole granddad knew what he'd do to survive
BbFCG
He went and dug for Harlan coal And sent the money back to granny
BbA7Dm
But he never left Harlan alive
ChorusFBbCF
Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
DmBbFBb
And the sun goes down about three in the day
FBbCF
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
DmBbF
And you spend your life just thinkin' of how to get away
[Last ChorusFBbCF
Where the sun comes up about ten in the morning
DmBbFBb
And the sun goes down about three in the day
FBbCF
And you fill your cup with whatever bitter brew you're drinkin'
DmBbDm
And you spend your life digging coal from the bottom of your grave
DmFCG
In the deep dark hills of eastern Kentucky
DmFBb
That's the place where I trace my bloodline
BbFCG
And it's there I read on a hillside gravestone
BbA7Dm
You will never leave Harlan alive
This arrangement for the song is the author's own work and represents their interpretation of the song. You may only use this for private study, scholarship, or research.